Symptoms include a cough and runny nose for the first week or two, followed by weeks to months of coughing fits that end with the characteristic whooping sound.

“Pertussis continues to infect infants and children throughout San Diego County and it is important that they, as well as their caretakers and household contacts, obtain the recommended vaccines,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten.

If you or your child contracts it, antibiotics can lessen the severity of the symptoms and prevent it from spreading.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children get DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.